The last in the current season of recorded Encore screenings from the Australian Ballet to the big screen at the Regent in Christchurch, will be a production of Delibes’ masterpiece, Coppelia, on Wednesday 19 April 7pm.

Coppelia is a sparkling tale of magic and mischief and has everything a good ballet story should have, from a touch of enchantment to a dash of romance with masses of sumptuous costumes.

Swanilda and her merry boyfriend, Franz, live in a village near to Dr Coppelius, a sinister magician and inventor who has created a beautiful clockwork doll, Coppelia, that he sits on his balcony. One day Franz sees the doll on the balcony and believing her to be real, becomes infatuated with her.

When Swanilda catches Franz blowing kisses to Coppelia, she decides to break in to Dr Coppelius’ house while he is out to see who this mysterious woman is, only to discover that she is a lifelike doll.

However, when Doctor Coppelius returns suddenly, Swanilda hides – pretending to be Coppe?lia. At the same time, the love-struck Franz climbs into the house but is discovered. He is invited in and offered a drink with sleeping draught in it, as Dr Coppelius plans to steal his life force to animate his doll.

When Franz passes out, Coppelius brings out Coppe?lia and Swanilda tricks the Doctor into believing that his creation has come to life. Coppelius is delighted – until Swanilda manages to wake Franz and they escape from the house and are married, sealing their love with a tender pas de deux.

Sorcery and masquerade, romance and high jinks – this is the funniest, sunniest ballet you’ll see all year.

Regent, Christchurch

01202 499199

www.regentcentre.co.uk